JOHNSON, Vt. (January 31, 2009) – Johnson State raced to 13-1 lead to open the game and a 31-20 halftime lead but saw the advantage slowly erased throughout the final 20 minutes and visiting Husson University eventually pulled away for a 56-48 North Atlantic Conference women's basketball victory on Saturday at Carter Gymnasium.

The 13-1 run to open the game was fueled by eight points, including a pair of 3-point field goals, from senior Casey Rusin (Wilmington, Vt./Wilmington). Husson (10-7, 6-1 NAC) would respond with 10-0 run over the next three minutes to cut the lead to 13-11. Johnson State (6-11, 2-5 NAC) found their offensive stride over the last 10 minutes of half closing the stanza on a 18-9 spurt.

The Badger offense would stall out at the 15:48 mark of the second half following two Rusin free throws as they would record only two field goals over the next 12 minutes and found themselves trailing the Eagles 53-44 before Staci Cutting (Rochester, Vt./Rochester) would can one of her two 3-point field goals on the day. JSC missed a trio of 3-point field goal attempts that would have closed the gap to five in the final two minutes but could not connect.

Husson standout Shelby Bradford (Lee, Maine) recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds while collecting five steals on the day. Teammate Jenny Rollins (Corinth, Maine) was the only other Eagle in double-figures with 12 points.

Johnson State was paced by junior center Claudia Martineau (Washington, Vt./Spaulding) and her 13-point effort. Rusin and Cutting would add 10 points apiece.

The Badgers will play again at home on Tuesday when they host Castleton State College at 7:30 pm while Husson moves on to play at U. Maine-Farmington on Tuesday also at 7:30 pm.